Matrix-band structure



May 8, 1928. 1,669,231

y J. J. CURRAN MATRIX BAND STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 9, 1926V is a thin hand ot sheet metal, islplaced,

lil.)

Patented May 8, `19,28.

' y :.Iomr J. GURRAN, for mnnEArOIiiS.niiynnsonf MATRIX-BAND s'rno'rnn.

Lpplieation "led vAugust J9, '19%.' Serielf *NoJ 1727.882.

This invention relatesto la matrix band 'for ,the .nee of dentists.. MatraX hands .are now commonly ,used during Uhe processof @lacing rifllings in la-pproximal cavities 4in teetlnfalso in "getting rinipressions /ot' these cavities tor inlays. Snell `cat/"ities are. open at 4one side oi bluetooth, .and the band, which aionrnd the tooth and .across the :cavity so .as

to 4torni ian-all against which )the illing may 1b.@ p1. 'ed while V1t is .heling placed `and paelieal anto ythe cavity. Diflonltly has been fto pizovide .a matrix ,hand Constructed that the dentist 'foren the tilling soV that a .Contact point rwill he l1acltlirectly against tlhe aadjnoent itooth .aflter the matrix 4band has sheen reniomd. n

llt is `a further .ohljeot ofthe invention to 4provide a nfiatifx band having a thin for point :so that the bandmay .he .tornorlloroken within the interfproximall yspace and thus nemoved Without distorting the filling.

It is still another objeot fofthe invention to .provide a matrix band .having aathiek .ened or lapped .portion aft or adjacent to the .gingiival edge thereof adapted to rest against :the .adjoining tooth .during the fprocess yof lili, ng .and thus keep the intenproxiinwl space Well opened and prevent the amalgam or other filling maternal being forced over their wal margin :and under the gum." v

ll' another object of this Ainvontionlo vprovide a matrix'hand having portionsou'tlined for Wings tol1e"fornied thereon adeptked tothe engaged' hv a Suitable instmnnent,`

said hand having;r weakened' lin outlining these portions so thnt'zt'ho band r'anlbe torn `or sewered'hy sznd instrlnn'ient toftorni these wings and the hand removed latter .the fill? ine; str

n y q y ing'ltlire mn'trlg vhold-er.

is properly in place by further pulling `efeanl inetrnlnent on said Wings. The

-altrin band is broken without Erst remov- Y I 1 y y f .from the main part of #he handf() loythe lt liskalsovan` object, of .the` invention to provide il novel method fof rnaking and ma`v ing.

nipulfatinga matrix hand ond placing all- `v These iandfiother objects andv advantages `ot following @description made in -eon'neetion withthe accompanying drawings', in which interference 01h racters retfer to similar thiouigihontthe several viewsand in Fig. rs aplanviewlk yoff a niatr-ixflband l lngfthe kpresent` invention; e

T t.' 1s a vpeispeotive Vview of the band showingithefsafme partlytofrn;

" "Fig is ai 'plan vilewe'howing lil.

ing `the band y'holdr `instrnnaentand a portion'ot theband ln el fr `ins'trame-'nt iread-v Ito toaitfhe band at .olutlrne'elfareas to form the wings;` V M i' F 4l is "al plangvi-ew` showing the matrix .hand afnonnd one of 'fseveral teeth vi-'thithe hand Ilio'lieliii-fg; instrument land also the maftfrixwbneaking finetrnment,y theflatter loeinlr engaged with the Wings onfthe yleand, and in positionlto blfeakthe banc] in the interproxima] Espace; f

F is a perspective `view of the parts vs'hfnvn 1n Fig. L esl seen frontline 5#`5`of Fine; i Fig. 6 is an edge view 'showing a kslight inodiloation of the bandshown inFig l.;

Figi.` 7 isfan :edge vi-ew of va slightly modi- 4lied torni of matrix hand; Y

Fig. 18 is a perspeetiveview :Sor f mirtrixhand; e

Fig. lisa plan v'iev of a further n1ocli-r tication; i

Fig. 10 is aperspeetive view showing'an endless .dorm lorf matrix lbandg Fig. 11' 2rs oil. Fhand.; land A n Fig; 121s `a 'planv'iew' of a still further modified form of'fmatrx band.' Referring to the'd1a\vings. in Fig. l a matrixllaand E2@ isehowvn 4for-Hired ofy thin slieetinetalyor otliereiritable ,material.` the saine "being of elongat'eclf 'l'ofrml with filonnd; 'ed ends havingat leach `siol-eflows of alined vkholes Q0, rlfhe banCl'Q()` isformed a matrix han'tlaixonlnd one ott .sever-afl teelt-h and Show# 'K ef a modified aplan view of a `modified form at foesidewith wingportions or 'tabs 20".I

also" illust-rated as hevingrounded ends and ashaving formed rtherein small holes 20, The tabs" at 'theirontervends are Separated narrow slots l and grooves or weakened portions 20E extend inward from the ends ot the small slots 2Od in a curved direction toward the opposite side-or gingival edge of the band 20. The grooves 20""may be pressed in the band or formed therein with an edged tool. The band 2O may also have a notch 20t formed invitsl occlusal sideor a grooved depression or vweakened portion may takeI the place ofthis notch and also a grooved depression or weakened portion indicated by the rdotted rline 20g may be termed in the band extending from the inner end ot ,the notch 2Of to the bottom ot band 2() substantially at the' center thereof. lli-desired, however, the grooved portion 20g may he omitted. Also 2()f may be omitted in manufacture and may be cut by the dentist to suittlie case. rlhe band also has a portion 20 folded over on itseltl to form a thickened area atrthe gingival edge.

When thefband shown in Fig. l is used, it is placed around the teeth asshown in Fig. 3, the same being` placed around a tooth 21. The tooth 2l is shown' as having a cavity therein extending to the side thereot. adjacent the tooth 22, which cavity is shown as having therein a iilling 23 indicated bythe shaded area. The band 20 is placed around thev tooth in the manner shown, with the side having the flaps 2Ob adjacent to the biting surface. The band is held in place on the tooth by an instrunient indicated generally as 24. While this instrument is well known and forms no part ot the presentinvention it may be briefly described as comprising a bow-spring 24 having formed thereon the jaws 2stb having points adapted to engageV in the holes 20 ot the matrix band 20. The sides of the bowspring are pivotally engaged by a pair of links 24h, each ot which has its end pivoted to the inner end ot a plunger or stem 24C which extends through the end and substantially the vcenter ot the bow-spring 2st and threaded to receive a knurled operating nuty 24 llVhen the nut 2li@ is screwed inwardly on the stem 2st the stem is pulled out wardly and the jaws 24h are moved together. The instrument is placed in the patients mouth and lies along the gingival portions ol" the teeth as clearly shown in Fig. 3, thus holding the hand 2() in position. The filling 23 is now placed rin the tooth and the same can he placed against the walls of the cavity and the band 2O which-forms the outer wall or confinement ior the 'iilling The notch 20'will be disposed at the occlusalthird ot the lilling and at the vnearest proximate point of the tooth Theftilling can eX- -tend outwardly through the notch 20t and he made to Contact with the tooth. 22 thus insuring a good firm. contact point. After the filling is properly in place, the band breaking instrument 25 willY be used. The

tool 25 having the jaws or pivot portions 25'LL with the semi-circular handle portions 25". The handle portions 251 normallj7 are held apart -by the sear spring 25C. The jaws or portions 25 are connected by the pivot 26 and torwardly of said pivot are formed with the comparatively thin iaws 251 which are usually otlset gingivally somewhat. The jaws 25d have outwardly extending small pins 25e. The pins 25e are now engaged in the holes 2Oc oi the band 2O and pressure is applied 'upon the handles 25e moving the same together. rllhis initial pressure moves the tabs 20d apart and said tabs and band tear along the'line ot the grooves 20G, this tear extending to the'end ot'y said grooves shown on the right hand side of Fig. 2. fitter the band has torn to the end ot thel grooves 20e, it appears substantially as shown in Fig-4t. Further pressure is now exerted on the handle portion 25b and the forward jaw portions 25dare moved turther apart and the band now tears or breaks l'rom the end of slot 2OI along the line 2Og and the portions thereoi2 lare moved laterally from between the teeth 2l and 22. The matrix band is thus moved out from becomprises a simplepair oft forceps tween the teeth and does not in any way disadvantageously atleet the filling 2B. The portion extending to tooth 22 and forming the contact point is not disturbed. lt will be seen that it wouldv be impossible to remove the band vertically from between the teeth and still retain the contact portion of the illing.. By removing the portions ot the band laterally there is very little or no tend ency to distort the filling or break it. The ends ot the tabs 2Gb told around over thc vertical edges ot the jaws 25d so that all ot the strain or breaking or tearing the band does not come on the holes 20C. Any danger ot' the holes pulling out, therefore, is avoided. r

Y In Fig. 6 the band 2O has the tab-s 20b bent in-away from the band in one direction and disposed slightly out ot the plane oi' the band as shown. In Fig. 7 the band 2O is' Shown as having the tahs 2Ob odset from the plane ot the band vand extending substantially parallel thereto. otherwise the structure is the same as shown and dcscribed for the bands in Figs. l and 2. This gives greater access Alor the bcaks of the forceps 25d. f

In Fig. 8 -a band 27 is shown which is also of elongated shape with rounded ends and has therein the rows ot holes 27a similar to the holes 2Oa in the band 20 already described. The band 27 also will have a notch 27b in its occlusal side. The band 27 has the talos'27d at its occlusal side having therein the holes 27", the band having the grooves ork weakened portions 27t extending from the space or slot between the tabs and taking a llO l fr:

course inwardly or direction toward the opposite side of the band.. the grooves being similar to? grooves already described' in` connection with band 20. rllhe tabs 52Td are shown as having the portionslyingn beyondthe occlusal side ofthe hand bentsubstantially at aI right angle to the body of the band Inll the use olf such band of Fig. 8, the processalready described' will be. perlen-niedexcept that' the tabs 27d' andthe holes 27 therein will be engaged by abreaking forcepsy having pins extending gingivally in, afverti-'al direction.: insteadY ot laterally or horizontally as do' the pins :'25e on the tool- 25.` It Will be understood that the band holding tool 2l will engage in the holes 27a.

In Fig. 9 another form of band 28 is shown; also of elongated shape Withzrounded ends and having at' each side andi substantially close to the gingival edge thereofl the rows of holes 28?". The band 28 instead of' having'. on.- vhas merely the rounded projecting por.-

- 4tions 28e having, formed substantially concentrical with their Vouter portions the holes 28". The band' 28 Will when ready for use have a notch 28o will bcnoted that this; is substantially in Ihorizontal alinement with the holes 28h.

The band 28 may also, if desired, be provided with a groove, niark or indentation 28 extending froinft'he inner end of notch 28p transversely' across the band; In the use of the band shown in Fig. 9 the'saine will be placed around the teeth and held in position as already described in connection with band 20?, band holding instrument 24:* engaging, in the holes 28?. liVhen the bandi iste' be broken thel holding instrument ,2l will be reiner/'ed and the breaking instrument will be fixed With its points e' engaged inf the `holes- 281) and' the jfawsv 25dv1 ofiy the break.-

ing. instrument will be separated and the band will be tornk 0r broken along.. tl1e line 28d. In both the bands shown in Fig: 8 and Fig. S) the contact'point with@ theJ next tooth may be tori-ned` by the filling passing tl'irougzh the notches 271 and 528 `two surface'- lillin'g', 'a notch Willi be cut at onl)r one side. The band 29 is also shown having' talos 29b formed therein and grooves, indentations or yweakened lines 29@ are formed; on' the bandi extending'A iironr the* end oli the. slots separating* the band and tabs QQHgingivally'in a' curved direction toward' the center or .interproxi'nial portion of the bandiV separate Wings or tabs formed there' at its oeclusal edgev and' it respectively.-

or a short groove or cut through the band the' notch 30g.

ging-ivall-y in a curved-I lornied tl'ierein.v The bandl 29: also has a. formed 1n opposite `sides Such a' bandV as shown in Fig. 10 needs no hold-ing tool, or instrument, for retaining. it in positron. lhen the bandas to befrc# haired, the instrument Q'f Will have its point i 2'2-5" engaged in. the holes-29C.y The `jaws ol the instrument will be separated' and the band will tear alongthe ,grooves-` 29-e` to the ond thereof. Further outwardpressureon thezitabs 29" will now causeithe band to tear' orbreak lroin the gingivalportion of the notch 29 across the band. rfhe sides o'tthe band thus can be renioyec laterally from between thef` teeth.

on' the other side ot the banchasli'n Mesio occlusoLdistal filling, thel band" would be broken iny twoy places. After being broken by the tabs 29'? the breaking instiui'nent would be inserted in the' holes 29d and the band would then break along'y the line exi` tending fronr the gingivall edge ot notch 29? across to` the opposite edge of the band.-` Ihebandl would then be draWI-r laterally from between the teeth, thus leaving' the filling unaffected. y y I y The niatrix band 30l shown` in Figs. 1l

and '12 oliA elongated shapev Withy roundedv ends havinfgfnearly parallel sides Whfiel are convex and concave'respectively; `The saline hasroivso tsquare' holes 30LL at each side thereof andlis-posed substantially on the center line of they gingfivafl' hal'tthereol'. At

its ecol-usal portionthe band has tal 30 superposed thereon, saiettabs beingJ rectangular in sha-pe at oneendand havingtheir other ends semi-circular. The tabs 30b have their ocel'usiiilfsid'es flush `with the occlnsal edge offtlhe bandi 30 and are provided at' their roundedl ends with holes 30C. bandsltl" are secured to the band 30 at their rectangular 'ends and will be secured in any suitable inanner as by spot-Welding or soldering. The band 3()A at its'y lower side hasv a-projfectioir30I shown as rectanQuli-irin forni. The projectionflld'will be folded' over upon it'selt along the' dotted* lfineBOand the saine will their bei folded over onto the body7 o'fthe bandalongtlfie line 30P. as shoiifn in Fig. LLL However? this projection Blillniay be oniittedl. The band' u'illnlso bemadc up to allow for :r lll-shaped? notclrtlg'in itsocclusal portion between the tabs 30". The folded over proj ecti'ol'rSO1 may also be forn'ied with a cut or groove 30 extending'transversely at its central`y portion in line' With the point of llllhen the handI 30 used, it will bei placed aro'undthef tooth inthe manner shoivn'in Figs. 3 andy 4 and will be held" in position by lthe tool 24" whichwill engagelin the holes 30a: When tlie'ban'd'is Iff work' should be donc" lin.

1ret

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to be removed, the prongs of the forceps will be inserted in the holes 30C. The jaws of the breaking tool will thus be separated and the band will tear or break along a line extending from the point of th-e notch 30g to the line 30h on the opposite edge of the band. The parts of the band will then move laterally from between the teeth. The projection 30d forms a thickened portionlon the matrix band which will engage the gingival portion of the next tooth. This will prevent the band being moved away from the tooth being filled and prevent the filling from bulging out at the gingival portion of the tooth or a crowdingout of the filling into the interproximal space and under the gum.

From the above description it 'is seen that applicant has provided a simple and eilicient structure of matrix band and one which can be separated so as to be removed from between the teeth without objectionally affecting the filling. The bands are easily and inexpensively made and can be made shaped to lit several types of matrix holders, and can be quickly and conveniently operated. The device and method of using the same have been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful` It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the apparatus and in the steps and sequence ot steps of the method, without departing from the scope of applicants invention,V

which generally stated, consists in a method and apparatus capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, such as disclosed and delined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is l. A dental matrix band comprising a thin elongated piece of sheet material, saidband being formed with a portion at one longitudinal edge and adjacent each side of the longitudinal center, having means adapted to be engaged by a breaking instrument, whereby 'said band may be pulled apart along an intermediate line and thus removed laterally from between the teeth.

2. A dental matrix band comprising a thin elongated piece of sheet material having spaced tabs formed thereon with means therein adapted to receive a breaking instrin'nent and a notch or recess formed in the occlusal portion of said band substantially at the center thereof through which the iillin'g may extend and which will form a. starting point for the breaking of the band being pulled apart by said tabs.

3. A dent-al matrix band comprising an elongated piece of she-et material having spaced tabs formed thereon adapted to be disposed at opposite sides ofthe tooth and having means adapted to receive aninstrument for breaking said band along a transverse line between said tabs.

4. A dental matrix band comprising an elongated piece of sheet material having spaced tabs form-ed thereon adapted to be disposed at opposite sides of the tooth and having means adapted to receive an instrument for breaking said band along a transverse line between said tabs, said band having weakened portions extending from the occlusal side of said tabs into said band.

5. A dental matrix band comprising an elongated piece oit' sheet material having spaced tabs formed thereon adapted to be disposed at opposite sides of the tooth and having means adaptedr to receive an instrument for breaking said band along a transverse line between said tabs, said band having a thickened portion at its gingival area and substantially centrally thereof, adapted to engage the gingival portion of the tooth adjacent the tooth being filled.

6. A dental matrix band comprising an elongated piece of sheet material, said band being formed with spaced tabs at one side thereof and having weakened lines extending from the ends of said tabs transversely partially across said band, adapted to tear to form wings for a breaking instrument. said wings beingv constructed and arranged to be engaged by a breaking instrument, whereby said band may be broken along a vtransverse line between said tabs.

7. The structure set forth in claim 2, said band having a weakened line extending from said recess transversely of said band.

8. The method of manipulating a dental matrix band which consists in placing the same in the interproximal space and about the tooth to form. the supporting wall for the filling, holding the same in place, and after the filling is in place, engaging the band at each side of the tooth and breaking the same in the interproximal space by pressure exerted outwardly at each side of the tooth 9. A dental matrix band having weakened portions therein along which the band is adapted to be torn to form tabs on said r band, said tabs having means to be engaged to exert pressure thereon so that the band will be broken in the interproximal space.

lO. A dental matrix band having weakened portions on which the band is adapted to be torn to forni tabs having means for engagement by a I suitable instrument. to exert pressure on the band, whereby the same will be broken in the interproximal space, said band having a. cut-out therein at a point to provide contact of the iilling material with the adjoining tooth, and to insure a starting of the break at that point.

11. A dental matrix band comprising an elongated piece of thin flexible material having a portion partially defined by weakened lle - which consists in vtooth to form the lilies and having means for engagement therewith of 'a spreading instrument adapted to tear said band along said weakened lines and partially separate said portion from the body of the band after the filling has been inserted and after said portion has served its purpose for forming a supporting wall for the filling, said portion being adapted to form two winged projections, one on each side ot the tooth and interproximal space, adapt-ed to be pulled upon to break said band in the interproximal space. y

12. The method of manipulating a. matrix band having wings formed adjacent` each end thereotI and placing a dental filling cutting` a notch inthe occlusal edge of said bunch placing the saine in the interproximal space and about the supporting wall for the filling, with said notch adjacent the adjoining tooth, whereby said filling may extend through said notch to make contact with said adjoining tooth, and then tearing said band in two in the interproximal space by a pressure exerted outwardly on said wings at each sideotthe tooth and removing the )arts thereof laterally from the interproximal space.

13. The method of manipulating a dental matrix band and placing a dental filling which consists in plaeingthe same in the interproxiimil space and about thetooth to form the supporting wall for the filling, holding the same in place by a holding implement and, after the lling is in place, engaging the band at each sideoi' the int-erproximal space with a spreading instrument and breaking the bandI in the intere proximal space whiler the same is by the holding implement.

The method of manipulating a dental matrix band and placing a dental filling still held j which consists in placing the band in the interproximal space, holding the same about the tooth to iorm the supporting wallifor 4the filling and, after the filling is `in place,`

15. The method of making and manipulatlng a dental matrix dental filling which consists in forming weakened lines in said band at each side ol its longitudinal center, cutting a portion out of the edge oi'i' said band opposite the gingiyal edge, placing the band in the interproximal space and around vthe tooth with said cut-out portion adjacent the adjoining tooth,

whereby `the filling may extend through said cut-out portion .to form a contact point with said adjoining tooth, holding said band in position and after the filling is in place exerting pressure on said band at opposite sides ot' the interproximal space to tear the same along said weakened lines to form pulling portions and exerting outward pressure in opposite directions on said pulling portions to tear said band in two in the interproximal space while said band is still held in position, whereby said band is removed `without interfering with the Contact point with said adjoining tooth.

16. The structure set forth in claim 5 said band having a cut substantially at the central portion thereof and having means to insure breakage therethrough directly to the gingival edge.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN J. oURRA N.

band and placing a 

